First few nights at the new apartment

First few nights at the apartment.  Lovin’ it. Anna and I get home around 10. The bus drops us off at a McDonalds and we walk about 6-7 blocks home.  We live in a nice neighborhood that has lots of new buildings and is always bustling, definitely a safer area to be living in.  Our roommate, Matias, gets home around 6.  Tonight he made us pasta with eggs and milanesa (breaded meat baked or fried). Uruguayans don’t eat eggs at breakfast, but rather at lunch and dinner. Yesterday he made milanesa and rice with some good ole’ mayonnaise. 

Our apartment has an awesome location.  Across the street is a fruit/veggie market, bakery, 24 hour gas station and gym (like I’m ever going to go anyway).  We live on 21 de septiembre which is a very busy street which is great to catch busses or cabs.  We are also about 5 blocks from an emergency room.  The other day, Matias had an allergic reaction and we literally just walked down the street to the ER.  I still am foggy about the details of Uruguayan healthcare, but from what I know you register with a provider who you will use for medical issues.  Matias is registered with the ER down the street so he walked in, provided his number and within 5 mins was in a room getting treated.  I’m going to have to learn more about insurance here…people have explained it to me, but I always forget.

`We are already enjoying the crazy life of renting. Our kitchen sink is horribly clogged, our fridge and washing machine are broken.  We called the repair man, who forgot to come (SOO TYPICAL HERE)….all the fun stuff! But we make due, as always. 

Me and Anna had our mattresses delivered this weekend.  I told the delivery guys to come in the morning.  I knew they wouldn’t come, so me and Anna went shopping and got home around 12.  Left again to go to the grocery store, came home, ate lunch, fell asleep and around 2 or so they finally buzzed up and we had our mattresses!  The thing about living here is I have to think opposite of so many ways I am used to living. 

For example, people tell me to stop working so hard, because people will expect even more from me.

Or when someone says they will be there in 15 minutes, it means 1 hour.

Now these things may seem frustrating or counter-productive in one mindset.  But there are also plenty of positives.  People enjoy where they are and who they are with…they are not planning about the next thing they have.  You know when you are talking to someone, they aren’t thinking about the million things they have to do, they are in the moment and listening to you.  There are so many times I have to remind myself that things will get done whether or not I stress about them. 

So I struggle to keep my brain in 2 different worlds, enjoying every minute.

Most days

Saludos!!

It has been awhile.  I'm not going to make excuses for not blogging, I just realize I'm not good at journaling/blogging...I'm a talker, not a writer at heart!

Lately:

I got my hair cut with a groupon (yes, Uruguay has groupon too) by some guy that looked like Albert Einstein.  It was an upleasant experience because when people find out I am foreign they DON'T STOP ASKING ME QUESTIONS.  I know, I know, I love to talk so this should be great. But, just imagine you go through an interview everytime you meet someone new. Here is the run through of questions and what runs through my head (and sometimes leaves my mouth).

So you are a student here? (No)
What do you do here? (I live and work here)
Where do you work? (Zonamerica)
I have a friend that works there! (Everyone does)
Where are you from? (I usually say USA, but my answers also include Poland, Uruguay, Australia, Canada...)
How long will you stay? (Until I get tired of it)
Do you like it? (yes, alot)
Really??(NO, THATS WHY I LIVE HERE)
What is your name? (Bailey (but I have also said Amanda because it is easier for them to understand))
What? Belen? (No, Bailey. Like the drink. Baileys)
OH!! BAILEYS!! Its my favorite drink! (It's aparently everyone's favorite drink here)
Why Uruguay? (Why not)
Did you move here for a boy? (I don't follow boys, they follow me)
Your Spanish is good! (Yours is too!)
Can we practice English? (If you pay me 15 bucks an hour)

Now don't get me wrong, I understand that there are very few foreigners so they are very curious as to why I am here.  However, one of the most frustrating things is to only be seen as the foreigner.  I am much more than that! More importantly than being foreign, I am ME!  So I usually prefer people who get to know me for me, and not just for my foreigness.  My reactions to being asked questions usually changes depending on who is asking.  With people we meet in stores or at work, I'm more polite.  However, alot of times guys will use this as an excuse to talk to (aka hit on) me and my Polish friend, and lets get serious, they could be MUCH more creative :)

Speaking of being interviewed, I was on national news the other day!  I was interviewed while waiting in lines to get tickets to a big soccer game (most likely because its rare to have a foreigner who cares about the national soccer teams).  I guess I can cross "being on national TV" off my bucket list!

Also, I'm moving! I rented an apartment with my friend Anna and our other friend Matias.  Its nice, in a safe part of town and close to the bus lines and all that jazz.  Its crazy, because the apartments here don't come with anything...we had to supply the stove, fridge, water heater...everything down to the bathroom mirror! Its been a really interesting challenge because we have been going to the street markets and sales to find things.  I still don't have a closet or dresser or actually anything besides a bed for my room...but it will all come with time and careful shopping!  I'm determined to find everything second hand and fix it up.

Work is okay.  Its long hours and little pay, but I really love everyone on my team.  They have been so fun and welcoming and we all get along so well!  I was moved to a different side of my team, from working with brokers to appraisers.  I am with appraisers now because they are typically more "difficult" to work with (they are in higher demand) so my accent helps (ideally) to persuade them to work with us.  We are in the process of a huge company expansion and are trying to recruit as many agents as possible.  Unfortunately, this creates a very demanding work environment, pushing me to my "corporate" limit some days.  If anything, I am learning alot about the housing industry and alot about what kind of work environments do and don't suit me.

xoxoxo
bails